Erica

Nana, mom, married to John, sp ed retiree.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

It will take all of us coming together and doing what we can to help those in need in Maui and Lāhainā right now. I hope you’ll join me in donating to the Hawai'i Red Cross today: https://t.co/CPtVJ8fGSq

[Ed Krassenstein @EdKrassen]

Jamie Raskin makes a good point to Chuck Todd today.

If Hunter Biden took a job and he got those jobs because foreign companies thought it would be beneficial to them because his Father was VP, then it was wrong (not illegal) for Hunter to take that job.

Meanwhile, we can also say the same about the following:

Donald Trump literally sold hundreds of hotel rooms to foreign government who didn’t even stay in the hotels. How do we know those governments didn’t use Trump’s hotels to pay Trump for favors? Why would they stay at Trump hotels and not a hotel down the road? To many it would seem obvious that it was because they had hopes for political favors.

Donald Trump Jr.’s good friend and foreign business partner Gentry Beach not only got to meet with Donald Trump, but he also got invited to the WH to take part in private White House meetings. He got invited to meet with the top National Security Council officials in the US and pushed them to make policy decisions that would be beneficial to his personal businesses. But Joe Biden meeting with Hunter’s business partners, even though there is no evidence that he discussed business with them, is “corrupt,” right?

Jared Kushner secured a $1.2 Billion lease deal from a company that was owned in large part by the Qatari government just as Trump was supporting an anti-Qatari Middle Eastern Blockade of Qatar. Why would they invest in Jared Kushner’s building when there were literally dozens of other buildings to invest into? Could it be that they wanted Trump to stop supporting the blockade? Do you know what happened once Kushner got the deal? That’s right! Trump stopped supporting the blockade. Could Trump had changed his stance in exchange for a $1.2 billion lease deal for his Son-in-law and Daughter? Of course it’s possible. But Joe Biden holding a strong stance that went along with nearly all politicians in government, concerning the Ukrainian prosecutor, is “corrupt,” right?

Jared Kushner and Donald Trump, after years of pro-Saudi policy, got over $2 billion combined from the Saudi government after leaving office. Could that be repayment for their political favors? Could it be pre-payment incase Trump gets back in the WH? Or course it could be.

Ivanka Trump, literally got trademark deals while she was dining with the Chinese President, all while working in the WH, and just as Trump changed his stance on the Chinese ZTE deal that would benefit China. Could the trademarks have come as a push by China to try and convince Trump to support the ZTE deal? Of course it could be. Did Trump change his stance on the ZTE deal because Ivanka got the trademarks? Or course it’s possible.

No, there is no absolute proof that these deals were in exchange for policy favors, but if you are going to theorize that Hunter Biden took money in exchange for Joe Biden changing policy, yet not say a single word about the Trump family, then you are simply a hypocrite.

Jamie Raskin wants to come up with some common sense laws to try and prevent family members of Presidents and VPs from making money overseas like Hunter Biden and the Trump’s did while in office. Why won’t Republicans come to the table? Probably because they don’t want to stop Trump from doing business in the WH again if he becomes President again.

Can’t we all agree that this is a bad look for America, no matter who is doing it?

[President Biden Archived @POTUS46Archive]

The federal government isn't just sending prayers to the people of Hawai'i – but every asset they need.

We're surging aid, resources, and personnel, and will help the state recover for as long as it takes.

[Brian Schatz @brianschatz]

If you need help on west Maui, text 911, do not call.

[Badwahine♑️🔥🐬 @Maui_anne]

I cant, this is beyond devastating 😭🙏🏻

[Nyombi Morris @mnyomb1]

🔥🏝️🔥This idyllic paradise of Maui has been plunged into an unimaginable nightmare as raging wildfires tear through the island, leaving death and destruction in their wake.

The once-beautiful landscapes are now scarred with devastation, and the toll on human lives and the environment is immeasurable.

🌊 The disaster's severity has been exacerbated by a perfect storm of events, resulting in a communication breakdown amidst the chaos with a 911 service outage. As if this wasn't enough, the island was also battered by the merciless Hurricane Dora. The result? An overwhelmed emergency response system and countless lives hanging in the balance.

🏥 With wildfires consuming homes and lives, Maui's healthcare system has been pushed beyond its limits. Burn victims are now being airlifted to mainland hospitals for critical treatment. This unprecedented strain reveals the interconnectedness of climate change impacts - from wildfires to hurricanes - all culminating in a nightmarish scenario for the island's inhabitants.

The heart-wrenching stories emerging from the disaster are nothing short of gut-wrenching. Families who once enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of Maui are now grappling with the loss of everything - their homes, livelihoods, and even their beloved animals. Rental property owners are witnessing their dreams going up in smoke, while brave first responders are battling relentlessly to mitigate the casualties.

🛑 Amid this ongoing crisis, a call is resounding from the island: tourists, please stay away. As emergency measures intensify to combat the disaster, visiting Maui is not only unwise but also insensitive to the struggle that its residents are enduring. The allure of a tropical getaway pales in comparison to the urgent need for support and recovery.

🤯 The startling reality of the situation is leaving experts scratching their heads in astonishment. Did a hurricane that missed direct landfall cause wildfires to start? This is a sobering illustration of the wide-ranging effects of a climate crisis that is quickly getting out of hand. It's time to acknowledge that climate chaos isn't just a concern in the future; it's happening.

😢 Dramatic photos and videos like the one below document the post-apocalyptic sights as locals rush to flee their houses and find safety in the sea. The ocean, which has long been a symbol of tranquility, become a sanctuary of last resort. This desperate escape paints a grim picture of a world where the elements we once took for granted have turned against us.

🆘 The incident serves as a stark wake-up call that urges us to take immediate action. The climate crisis is here. The time for action is NOW!

[Nahel Belgherze @WxNB_]

Utter devastation left by the wildfires in Maui, Hawaï. It is far from hyperbole to say that Lahaina has been wiped off the map.

Credit: Vince Carter

[i am @johnAcastaneda]

People of #Maui #MauiFires I can not reach my Uncle. His name is Mark Stefl. He’s the only 7 foot dude on the island. He’s a well known tile contractor, avid bike rider and just an overall good human. Please help me find him.

[Fascinating @fasc1nate]

Neerja Bhanot was a 22-year-old flight attendant working on Pan Am Flight 73 when it was hijacked by terrorists during a layover in 1986.

Soon after taking control, the terrorists killed an Indian-American traveler and discarded his body outside the plane.

They ordered Bhanot to gather the passengers' passports to single out Americans. However, she concealed the identities of the 43 Americans on the flight by stashing their passports under seats and discarding others.

After a tense 17-hour standoff, the hijackers began shooting and setting off explosives. Bhanot bravely opened the plane's doors, and rather than escaping herself, she helped passengers evacuate. Tragically, she lost her life while shielding three American children from gunfire.

One of the kids she safeguarded grew up to become an airline captain, crediting Bhanot as his inspiration.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

It’s tough to see some of the images coming out of Hawai’i — a place that’s so special to so many of us. Michelle and I are thinking of everyone who has lost a loved one, or whose life has been turned upside down.

If you’d like to help, you can do so here.
https://t.co/i9zN74FiNT

[Andrew A. Michta @andrewmichta]

Reportedly, Moscow plans to create 25 new prison colonies and six other detention centers in occupied Ukraine by 2026. This is “russkiy mir” Putin has prepared for #Ukraine—state-sponsored terror reminiscent of Stalinism. #StandWithUkraine https://t.co/VJerobGjJB

[Ed Krassenstein @EdKrassen]

Breaking: Here is a photo of Joe Biden meeting with Hunter Biden's business partner.

Whoops, never-mind. This is Donald Trump meeting with Don Jr.'s business partner Gentry Beach before giving Beach access to the White House.

Don Jr. has a history of doing business with Beach and even invested $650,000 into Beach's company during Trump's presidency, while Beach was also given access to the WH on several occasions, including official WH meetings.

The goal of attending those meetings was reportedly to get the U.S. to remove sanctions against Venezuela, which would have benefitted Beach's businesses.

In fact Beach bragged that "If I called up there and asked someone to do me a favor, could I get in the door? Sure"

He also said “I have many friends throughout the entire White House."

Additionally, Beach was at the center of a controversial right before Trump's inauguration, to set up a nonprofit with Trump's sons, which critics said appeared to sell access to the president.

Should James Comer open up an investigation into Don Jr. and Donald Trump for pedaling influence?

[Erica @EricaDinelli1]

@PopCulture413 @AndyRichter 😂

[Leia @TheSWPrincess]

Ironic that the Congresswoman who was known for banging random guys at her gym displayed revenge porn of a recovered addict during a Congressional hearing.

How would she feel if surveillance camera footage of her and one of her flings was displayed publicly?

Hunter isn't an elected official.

She should try doing something to help her constituents. Novel idea. 🙄

[Tom Winter @Tom_Winter]

NEW: Eliyahu Weinstein – a convicted con artist who was granted clemency by Donald Trump his last days in office - has been arrested by the FBI and charged by the NJ US Attorney with new fraud charges in the tens of millions of dollars, reported by @jonathan4ny

[Brianna Keilar @brikeilarcnn]

Rep. Pete Sessions alleges President Biden is guilty of wrongdoing related to payments Hunter Biden received from foreign entities during the end of the Obama admin and Trump admin.

But asked repeatedly he was unable to provide proof.

[Ed Krassenstein @EdKrassen]

Breaking: According to the Houston Chronicle, officers who were working for Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s border security were ordered to push small children and babies back into the Rio Grande.

Additionally, they have allegedly been ordered not to give water to those people seeking asylum.

This comes as we see record heat in Texas.

There has to be a line that is drawn between "keeping our border safe," and harming innocent women and children who are merely seeking asylum.

We are all humans, and to treat people who claim to be fleeing from danger like they are something less than human can't be the answer we strive for. Can it?

We hear a lot of complaints but very few solutions.

Ultimately how is a better way to secure our borders without harming women and children?

[The Recount @therecount]

Russia today said it has terminated the wartime deal known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative that allows grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

This will have massive implications on bread prices and hunger levels around the world.

[Rep. Summer Lee @RepSummerLee]

Imagine taking food or medicaid away from a family in need so your rich donor has money to buy a yacht.

Imagine cutting childcare for a kid or increasing school costs so your rich donor can buy a vacation house at the beach.

This is exactly what Republicans are trying to do.👀